Wednesday Afternoon News, February 14th

(Des Moines) — Republican State Representative Dan Huseman of Aurelia has announced he will seek another term for re-election. Huseman is a farmer, and was first elected in 1994, Huseman represents House District 3 which includes Cherokee and O’Brien counties, as well as parts of Plymouth and Sioux counties. In the House, Huseman serves as the Chairman of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Budget Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Natural Resources, and Transportation committees.

Le Mars To Host Iowa Mainstreet Organization Workshop

(Le Mars) — Le Mars has been chosen to serve as the host city for the statewide Mainstreet Organization workshop to be held April 25th and 26th. Mary Reynolds of the Le Mars Mainstreet Organization says the focus for the statewide conference will be on tourism. She says this will mark an excellent opportunity
for Le Mars to showcase our many attractions within the downtown region.

The Le Mars Mainstreet official says the group will confine its focus only to the downtown area.

Library Employee Honored As Chamber “Employee of the Month”

(Le Mars) — An employee of the Le Mars Public Library was presented the Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month” award during this morning’s Chamber Coffee that was held at the newly renovated Le Mars Public Library. Robin Stevens
joined the library staff in July of 2001. Since that time, she has filled many roles within the organization, including assisting with children’s programs, customer service, processing new books, and organizing newspapers and magazines.
According to Library Director, Shirley Taylor, Robin is a book repair ninja! She can take a book that has been roughed up and with a little glue and “Robin Magic” return the item to almost like new condition. Robin’s greatest achievement has been spearheading the move of 30,000 items out of the library
before the renovation began. Robin researched the best method for packing books and labeling boxes for the 6,000 items that went into storage. She devised a plan to pack and label boxes so that the 24,000 items going to the Eagles Club would be moved to the correct floor and placed in the correct spot to be
unpacked. In addition to planning “How” the books would be stored or moved, she organized a program directing “Who” would do the work. Robin coordinated the volunteers that started boxing on March 21st. She organized 33 different
volunteers as they gave 329 hours of work to move the collection. This marked only half of the job since in November the collection again had to be boxed and moved back to the renovated public library building. She again organized 35
volunteers as they devoted 355 hours to box the collection and organize the books on the shelves before opening day. Robin also helped prepare for the sale of excess library property. She, along with assistance from Shay Gant and other staff members, raised over $3,000 for the building project with this sale.
Robin is a part-time employee and works between 24 and 27 hours a week. Our congratulations go to Robin Stevens with the Le Mars Public Library for being honored as the Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month.”

(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Pork Producers will hold its annual banquet this coming Saturday evening. The event is being moved back to the Le Mars Convention Center. Andy Schroeder serves as a director with the pork
organization and tells when the event is scheduled to start, as well as ticket prices.

In years past, the pork producers encouraged and invited local people to submit
their pork appetizers as part of a contest. However, Schroeder says this year
the pork appetizers will be prepared by the banquet’s key-note speaker. Chef
Kang Kuan is a culinary ninja with the Tyson Foods Innovation Lab. He will not
only prepare the appetizers, but he will also prepare a special pork entree’
during his presentation. The banquet program will follow with the crowning of
the 2018 County Pork Queen and Little Miss Pigtails youth ambassador.

(sot) ASchroeder2

Schroeder says when you attend Saturday’s annual banquet, he encourages you to
come hungry.

(sot) ASchroeder3

The Plymouth County pork producer says several door prizes will be given away
during the evening’s program. Schroeder says last year the Plymouth County Pork
Producers launched the “Adopt-A-Pig” program that allowed 4-H and FFA members
the opportunity to show a hog at the county fair, even if they don’t have proper
facilities to house and raise the pig. Schroeder says the program was
successful last year, and the county pork organization is planning to again
feature the program this year.